Dunkirk remains the seventh highest-rated steeplechaser in the history of Timeform, adjudged just 1lb inferior to Desert Orchid and 2lb superior to Burrough Hill Lad. Yet, when it comes to a discussion of the truly great steeplechasers of the twentieth century, his name is rarely mentioned. That is, perhaps, because he was a direct contemporary of Arkle, Flyingbolt and Mill House, but as ‘one of the most exhilarating sights in racing’, according to Timeform, Dunkirk deserves recognition.
Owned by Bill Whitbread and trained by Peter Cazalet, Dunkirk is probably best remembered for winning what is now the Queen Mother Champion Chase by 20 lengths in 1965. However, the following season, he also beat Mill House by 15 lengths, at level weights, in the Frogmore Chase at Ascot and won what is now the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham under 12st 7lb.
Dunkirk never did beat Arkle, but did, quite literally, die trying. The pair met for the one and only time in the King George VI Chase at Kempton in December, 1966, for which Arkle was sent off 1/7 favourite in a field of four. Despite attempting three miles for the first time, Dunkirk jumped spectacularly at the head of affairs and was, at one stage, nearly a fence clear of his rivals. However, as his stamina waned, he was gradually reeled in by Arkle. At the final open ditch, five fences from home, Dunkirk failed to take off at all, breaking his neck in a fatal fall; he was subsequently found to have suffered a lung haemorrhage.